Police refuse to identify burglars 'to protect their human rights'

Police have warned householders to be on their guard against three career criminals who are about to be released from prison.

But, astonishingly, they are refusing to name the villains - for fear of violating their human rights.

Officers in Suffolk are convinced the three, all drug addicts, will begin committing burglaries again after they are released in a few weeks.

Their concerns prompted them to warn householders in the men's home area, telling them to be sure doors are locked and windows securely closed.

But they are refusing to give out crucial details which could help families protect themselves - including the men's photographs, names and ages.

The decision has amazed and alarmed residents.

Adrian Peachey, chairman of Mildenhall parish council, said: "It is bizarre. We should have the right to know who they are."

Newmarket town councillor Bill Burch said: "Human rights can be taken to such extremes these days for no apparent reason. This decision is odd, to say the least."

A Suffolk Police spokesman insisted the force was following legal guidelines. But after inquiries by the Daily Mail, the Department for Constitutional Affairs confirmed that the Human Rights Act "explicitly allows public authorities to interfere with an individual's right to privacy in the interests of public safety".

In response, the police then claimed that releasing the information would be "disproportionate" - prompting critics to accuse them of putting the criminals' interests before those of the pubinlic.

The extraordinary situation came about when Suffolk police released a statement "highlighting the need for the public to take simple crime prevention measures in an effort to reduce dwelling burglary in West Suffolk at a time when three men who in the past have committed such offences return to the area".

It warned: "All three have served time in prison for their crimes and will be released over the next few weeks".

A senior officer, Superintendent John Brighton, was quoted as saying the number of burglaries the area had fallen "but these three men, should they choose to reoffend, have the potential to undo all the hard work".

He added: "One of the most important messages is to keep doors and windows locked, even if you are at home."

The only available information about the trio was that they are drug addicts - putting them in a high risk category for reoffending.

The case is the latest where criminals' "human rights" have been cited to steamroller public concerns about safety.

Last month Northumbria Police released the names or pictures of five wanted men - but refused to say what crimes they had committed.

In January Derbyshire Chief Constable David Coleman was accused of "madness" after refusing to release pictures of two escaped murderers.

Suffolk police initially said: "This is about the men's human rights. We can't give their details out because it would be like giving anybody's details out. Why should we discriminate against them?"

Following the DCA's ruling, the force said there could be "operational reasons" for its decision before claiming that identifying the men was "not necessary or proportionate" compared to the risk.